Terry Parker band heads to Inaugural

Only Florida school in parade

As he played the clarinet, Green could see the shiny visage of the Capitol building. He remembers seeing Lyndon Johnson, who was sworn in as president.

"It was an awe-inspiring event," Green said of his participation in the 1965 Inaugural Parade. "But to be going back a second time -- it is now almost magical."

Green, who is now director of the Terry Parker marching band, and 107 students are scheduled to leave today for Washington, where they will perform in Saturday's Presidential Inaugural Parade.

The band submitted an application to perform in September and learned of its selection Dec. 22. The inaugural committee does not disclose how many Florida high schools applied or what selection criteria was used.

Terry Parker is the only school representing Florida -- a fact not lost on the students. If anything, they said it places additional pressure on them to perform their medley of patriotic works before the new president, George W. Bush.

"It is a great honor and I will tell my children and grandchildren about it," said Ronnie Murphy, a freshman who plays baritone. "I am nervous because we are in the spotlight and I don't want people to think Florida can't do anything right. We will show them our Parker Pride."

Sophomore David Embleton said students believe people expect the band to fail because they are from the state where people had trouble voting for president and counting ballots.

"It is our duty to show them we are good enough," said Embleton, who plays trumpet. "We are representing Jacksonville, the state and the nation as we honor our president."

Some parents, including Lisa Hazlett, president of the Terry Parker High School band parents association, said students may not realize the importance of their participation until they are adults.

Practice has been part of the effort for band members at Terry Parker High School as they set their sights on the Inaugural Parade in Washington on Saturday. Senior Elmar Vonkurzbach beats the drums during a recent practice.

-- Don Burk/staff

Hazlett said parents joked about carrying banners as the students marched by, saying: "Check out these dimples."

Parents and community have moved quickly to raise the $50,000 to pay for the trip, said Hazlett, one of the 51 chaperones.

Businesses and individuals donated much of the money. But other contributions came from students. Paxon School for Advanced Studies gave $101, Parkwood Heights Elementary raised about $150 and Arlington Elementary started a "Pennies for Parker" campaign that collected more than $400.

"The response has been more than we ever expected," Hazlett said. "It warms my heart."

One of the first people who came out to support the band was Joe Lippo, director of the band when it marched in the 1965 Inaugural Parade. Green called his old mentor to get some advice and Lippo was quick to give suggestions: dress warmly and condition the band for the hour-long, 2-mile march.

Preparation has been a challenge, since Pennsylvania Avenue is seven lanes wide, Green said. In practices, the band has used Terry Parker's track and football field to simulate the width.

Green said it will be difficult to compare his participation in the parade as a student and now as the band director.

"This one has more historical significance because the election was so close and it is the first one of the new millennium," Green said. "And there is something special about watching these students get ready. I am just so proud of them."